Programs

SEEM Prep Program

 

Crystal Street ~ Wakefield MA. 01880

Phone: (781) 213-5091

Fax: (781) 213-3071

Principal: David Farwell, M.Ed

The SEEM Collaborative's therapeutic high school day program is referred to as SEEM Prep. Student's age from 14 to 22 years.

Students enrolled in this program have not been able to meet the day-to-day demands of a traditional high school setting, despite significant local special educational programming and supports. Additionally, they do not possess the necessary skills to manage the emotional, social, physical, academic, and behavioral demands of such institutions.

All students present with multiple disabilities that range from moderate to severe including, primarily diagnoses within the autism spectrum, neurological impairments, behavioral disorders, intellectual impairments, physical disabilities and severe language disabilities which significantly impact their overall functioning throughout all aspects of their lives. Due to the severity of their needs, these students require a highly structured, low stimulation environment with clear, consistent routines and specially designed behavioral programs to address their unique needs.

SEEM Prep staff works collaboratively to create academic and social programs for whole classroom groups, as well as for individual students. Behavioral programs and incentive plans are part of the daily structure within each classroom. Children are placed on a point system and are given feedback after every academic period on goals defined by teachers, parents, and counselors. The points translate into monetary sums (school money) and are used to purchase items in the school store. The student learns to maintain a simulated banking account with the store via a checkbook that they must keep balanced. The students may deposit and save their school money or spend it. Many students also have individualized behavior plans to address their specific needs. The behavioral program at SEEM Prep is enhanced by weekly clinical meetings as well as the daily communication between parents and staff.

The program aims to return and integrate students into public schools as soon as they are ready and to redirect students' non-productive learning and negative behavior, so that they can achieve success. We strive to teach them the social, organizational and educational skills that can lead to their replacement in less-restrictive settings.

Each student is expected to gain employment either within the school or in the community. Internal jobs are posted weekly and students apply and interview for these positions. Students ages 14-17 obtain in-school employment and participate in weekly pre-vocational and vocational classes. The students focus on learning the skills necessary to recognize their potential career strengths and interests, locate potential employment opportunities and successfully interview for volunteer or paid positions. Students ages 18 and older, have the opportunity to work in the community for up to four days per week with a job coach. These students gain on-the-job training in specific skills as well as self-advocacy and job related social skills. Pre-vocational and vocational skills classes focus on the academic and social skills required to successfully enter the community, gain and maintain employment. There is a job club that meets every other Friday at which the students discuss their specific employment situations and help each other to problem solve possible employment issues. They also focus on a specific vocational skill during this time. Younger students are encouraged to join the club and discuss their in-school employment as well.

Entrepreneurial skills are also encouraged within the vocational program. One SEEM Prep classroom has created the "Wake Up Cafe" that sells coffee, tea and many baked goods. The cafe is entirely student run and the proceeds are deposited into a classroom savings account that is also student run. Another example of the students' entrepreneurial spirit is the development of a dog walking service.

Students and staff work to develop relationships with neighbors and businesses within the local community. They have collected toys and clothing for needy children, collected and donated winter coats for the homeless, worked at a local nursing home, painted local trash cans and participated in other activities within the surrounding towns. The school community of parents and staff hosts several events throughout the year including the annual book fair.

Each week, on the half-day, students participate in an elective of their choosing. Possible electives include: art, music, cooking, basketball, hockey, woodcraft, yearbook, student council and cosmetology. The student council has spearheaded the election of official school colors and a school mascot - The Seem Sharks. The student council also serves as a united student voice that is often able to effect change within the school.